The civil rights organisation AfriForum welcomes the deployment of the defence force in the Western Cape’s gang-stricken areas.
This announcement follows after 13 people were murdered within 24 hours in Philippi. According to the Western Cape Provincial Government 1 875 murders were committed in the province between 1 November 2018 and 30 April 2019.
“We welcome the decision, but it is only a temporary relief. The police, in cooperation with the National Prosecuting Authority and the Department of Correctional Services, are the state institutions that primarily need to find a solution to the problem,” says Johandré van Zyl, AfriForum’s Head of Safety for the Southern Region.
According to Gen. Khehla Sitole, National Police Commissioner, the defence force will be under the command of the police.
“It can possibly be problematic seeing as the defence force is not trained to execute police duties, but their presence will stabilise the area,” says Van Zyl.
The defence force will provisionally be deployed in these areas for three months and it can possibly be extended.